Time flew by, and Christmas was just around the corner. Chu Yang was in the final sprint of her preparations, spending her days cooped up in Xiao Xiao's small apartment, studying diligently. Ever since she bumped into Fang Yi at school, her phone had been ringing for several days. She knew that Fang Yi must have gotten her number from Fan Xiaojuan. Although the phone kept ringing, Chu Yang wasn't too scared. She thought that even if those thugs were very capable, they couldn't possibly locate her with just a phone. Gradually, the phone stopped ringing, and Chu Yang's heart gradually calmed down. She then focused all her attention on preparing for the postgraduate entrance exam.
I stayed up all night memorizing until four or five in the morning. While I was still half asleep, I heard some noise coming from the living room, and then I heard Zhang Jingzhi's anything but ladylike voice:
"Girl! Get up now! Don't you know what time it is?!" The door was being pounded on.
Chu Yang was a little irritated. Ignoring the shouts outside, he covered his head with the blanket and tried to sleep again. He had just dreamt that the proctor had finished reading the exam rules and was about to open the exam paper. He wondered if he could dream about one or two exam questions if he continued dreaming.
"Hey beautiful, stop smashing things! Mind your image! Why are you acting like this today?" Xiao Xiao's cheerful voice came over.
Zhang Jingzhi kept shouting outside Chu Yang's door, saying that since she had finally come all this way, Chu Yang should at least come out to greet her.
Xiao Xiao laughed and grabbed Zhang Jingzhi's arm, trying to pull her to the sofa. But as soon as her hand touched Zhang Jingzhi's wrist, she heard Zhang Jingzhi let out a soft "Ouch!" and then quickly shook off Xiao Xiao's hand.
"What's wrong?" Xiao Xiao asked in surprise. Ignoring Zhang Jingzhi's attempts to dodge, she reached out and grabbed her arm to examine it closely. She saw a deep bruise on her wrist, like a bracelet, clearly caused by someone pinching her.
Xiao Xiao's brows furrowed, her eyes sharp as she looked at Zhang Jingzhi. "What exactly happened? No wonder you were acting strangely as soon as you arrived today. Who did it?"
Zhang Jingzhi's eyes darted around, and seeing that Xiao Xiao was unwilling to give up, she sat down on the sofa in frustration, took a couple of deep breaths, and said resentfully, "Yang Lei."
"Yang Lei?" Xiao Xiao couldn't believe it. Although she had only met Yang Lei once, he didn't seem like a tyrannical person at all. Besides, it had only been a little over a month. Even if their relationship had progressed, how fast could it have been? It shouldn't have come to the point of fighting.
Zhang Jingzhi sighed and then told Xiao Xiao about the origin of the "bracelet." She had tried to get close to Yang Lei several times during this period, but Yang Lei was always lukewarm, whether he was cold or something else. Just when she was feeling a little discouraged, Yang Lei took the initiative to contact her and asked her for a favor. She went there eagerly, only to find out that Yang Lei wanted her to accompany him to a wedding—his ex-girlfriend's wedding. Zhang Jingzhi then realized that it wasn't that Yang Lei wanted to see her, but that he wanted her to act in a play.
"Why is the payment for acting so low?" Xiao Xiao asked, frowning.
"Damn it, don't even mention it," Zhang Jingzhi said, even uttering the most taboo swear words in her anxiety. "When the bride and groom came over to toast, that Yang Lei almost went crazy. You know, if you don't have the skills, don't go! But he had to save face, grabbing my hand and introducing me as his girlfriend. I hadn't even had a chance to be happy before he started pinching me hard. Damn it, the brighter the bride's smile, the tighter he pinched. I deserved it, I don't know what possessed me, I just held back and didn't say a word. Guess what? The bride even complimented my smile! I was so angry I almost slapped her. Was that a smile? I was wincing in pain and gasping for breath!"
Xiao Xiao was both amused and exasperated when she heard Zhang Jingzhi say this. "I was wondering why you came to my place today and bought so much stuff. Turns out you were traumatized!"
Zhang Jingzhi nodded, "I'm feeling annoyed and very unhappy."
Xiao Xiao laughed, "Since he's like this, you might as well stop trying to 'eat his chicken leg'. There are plenty of men out there, just find someone else!"
"No way!" Zhang Jingzhi said bitterly, "I'm going to stick with him anyway!"
Xiao Xiao frowned, wanting to say something, but opened her mouth without speaking. While tidying up the food Zhang Jingzhi had brought into the kitchen, she casually asked, "Where's Wang Yuhan?"
"Him? He's still so annoying! Always picking on me for no reason!"
Xiao Xiao smiled and shook her head. "He seems to have a bit of a crush on you. Didn't you notice? I think he might be a little less attractive than Yang Lei, but his overall score is pretty good. Why don't you consider him?"
Zhang Jingzhi rolled her eyes and sneered, "Beautiful lady, you don't really think I'm like the idiotic heroine in a romance novel, do you? That I can't tell who's interested in me? I figured out a long time ago that the guy was just teasing me, but I'm just annoyed by him. That self-righteous guy always thinks I'm an idiot. Since he thinks I'm an idiot, then I'll play him for fools!"
"You're really shameless! Look at yourself, do you even have the demeanor of a lady?" Xiao Xiao pointed at Zhang Jingzhi's nose and scolded her with a laugh.
Zhang Jingzhi grinned and chuckled, "Being a lady is for others to see. I've always been completely honest with you!"
When Chu Yang came out of the room, he saw Xiao Xiao and Zhang Jingzhi excitedly smearing something on their faces. Their faces, covered in a mess of smears, startled Chu Yang. "What are you two doing? Why do you look like ghosts?"
Zhang Jingzhi grinned, revealing a set of white teeth, "Homemade face mask, do you want to try it?" As she spoke, she waved the jar in her hand at Chu Yang.
Chu Yang shivered and quickly waved his hand, "I'm still too shy, no need for that." He then went straight to the bathroom, tidied himself up quickly, and came out to find it was almost two o'clock. He was starving, so he opened the refrigerator, found something to eat, and started stuffing it into his mouth while asking, "Sis, what brings you here?"
Zhang Jingzhi's face mask was so thick that it was difficult for her to speak. She mumbled, "I'm here to see you. It's almost New Year's Day, and my aunt has asked me about it several times. Aren't you going home to visit?"
Chu Yang shook his head and pointed to his short hair. "Do you think my mom wouldn't chop me up if I went back like this?"
Chu Yang's long hair was her mother's lifeline. Before Chu Yang went to college, her mother had told her, "Now that you're in college, I won't be able to see you anymore. I can't control what clothes you wear, but if you dare to cut your hair behind my back, I'll make you pay!"
Zhang Jingzhi glanced at Chu Yang's short hair, which still couldn't cover his ears, and could only sigh. He had just lost his wig in the exhibition hall last time, and this time it would probably be really difficult to deal with.
Chu Yang noticed that Xiao Xiao hadn't gone out over the weekend, which seemed odd. He asked her why she hadn't gone on dates, since she had gone out every weekend before. Zhang Jingzhi then asked Xiao Xiao if she had gotten another boyfriend. Xiao Xiao said no, but Chu Yang grinned mischievously and revealed that she had, saying that she had seen a policeman in uniform bring Xiao Xiao back twice.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Jingzhi also became interested and asked Xiao Xiao if her tastes had changed, since she was now dating someone in a police uniform.
Xiao Xiao was feeling down about attending traffic law classes every weekend, but after hearing what they said, she told them about harassing a traffic policeman on the street. Zhang Jingzhi laughed so hard her stomach hurt and insisted on going to see which one it was.
“I’ve seen that person before,” Chu Yang said. “He blushes very easily. Last time when he carried Sister Xiao Xiao back, his face was completely red.”
Zhang Jingzhi grinned mischievously and asked Xiao Xiao when she would get that traffic cop into bed.
Xiao Xiao shook her head with a smile and said seriously, "No way. That kid blushes so easily. If I take his clothes off in bed later, it'll feel like peeling a lobster. I'll lose all interest!"
Zhang Jingzhi and Chu Yang laughed so hard they almost passed out. Zhang Jingzhi kept saying that Xiao Xiao was being unfair, since Chu Yang was still a student, and this was setting a bad example for the child! Xiao Xiao laughed too, and then the image of the little policeman's red face flashed before her eyes.
The three chatted and laughed, and before long it was evening. They hadn't eaten much at noon, so they were even hungrier now. Zhang Jingzhi and Chu Yang were forcing Xiao Xiao into the kitchen when Zhang Jingzhi's phone rang. It was Jiang Xiaoruo calling, saying she wanted to treat Zhang Jingzhi to dinner to thank her for her help at the last auto show. When she heard that Xiao Xiao and Chu Yang were also there, she quickly said to bring them along too, as it would be more fun with more people.
Xiao Xiao and Chu Yang were overjoyed to hear they could get a free meal, and Jiang Xiaoruo was quite hospitable, treating them to a good meal. Zhang Jingzhi felt a little guilty, and Xiao Xiao also felt something was off, but Chu Yang ate happily without a care in the world.
Sure enough, when they were almost finished eating, Jiang Xiaoruo indirectly revealed the purpose of her treat. The three of them were stunned. Jiang Xiaoruo actually wanted them to accompany her to a "male prostitute"!
"Please, I really have no other choice. The publishing house has been chasing this manuscript for so long, and I haven't even been there yet. I really can't come up with any more ideas. Please come with me, just to see it for yourself. I'll cover all the expenses!" Jiang Xiaoru pleaded.
"Why are you at the editorial office again? Weren't you helping out at the auto show last time?" Zhang Jingzhi asked.
"Oh dear, I was just helping a friend out; the editorial department is my real job! Please! Help me out! Just consider it as giving me courage!"
Seeing Jiang Xiaoruo's pitiful expression, Zhang Jingzhi felt a little sorry for her and was at a loss. She glanced at Xiao Xiao, who gave her a charming smile and said, "I'm fine. In fact, if someone like me goes, I'm afraid not only will I not have to pay, but someone will even pay me."
Zhang Jingzhi was already feeling a bit down today, but then a thought crossed her mind—she wanted to see for herself too. So she gritted her teeth and nodded, then turned to Chu Yang and said, "You little kid, go back first!"
Chu Yang scoffed, "Forget it, if you dare not take me, I'll tell Auntie."
Zhang Jingzhi said, "Go back and study! The exam is coming up soon!"
"No need, I've had a hard time these past few days. This is a good opportunity to see what male prostitutes are like!"
Zhang Jingzhi was at a loss and looked at Jiang Xiaoruo with longing. Jiang Xiaoruo was happy, and the more people she had with her, the more confident she became. She went up and pulled Xiao Xiao and Chu Yang away.
Chu Yang turned around and grinned smugly at Zhang Jingzhi, who followed him. "This brat, is she going through puberty? If her aunt finds out, she'll chop me up!"
Chu Yang (revised)
The four of them arrived at the destination in a flash. Jiang Xiaoruo immediately pulled back, while Xiao Xiao, with a faint smile on her face, led them in generously.
"You've been here before?" Zhang Jingzhi asked softly.
Xiao Xiao rolled her eyes at her, "Do you think I would need to come to this place with my resources?"
"Then why are you acting like some big shot, like we're old friends!"
"What do you know? This is what it means to be God! We're here to spend money! Can't you stand up straight?"
Zhang Jingzhi obediently straightened her chest and followed Xiao Xiao inside.
The "papa" led some young men inside for them to choose from. Jiang Xiaoruo and Zhang Jingzhi didn't dare to look closely anymore; they practically buried their heads under their armpits. Chu Yang was a bit bolder, but he just looked around curiously. Only Xiao Xiao pretended to be serious and pointed out a few clean-looking boys.
The "papa" also glanced at Xiao Xiao and the others curiously a few more times, thinking to himself that he rarely saw such young women here, and each of them was quite pretty, especially the one with long curly hair, who was clearly a stunner. Had he come to the wrong place? However, he was also a man of professional ethics. Although he was curious, he didn't ask anything, and simply closed the door behind him and left.
A waiter brought in drinks, glanced at them a few times, and then looked at Chu Yang a couple more times.
The boys weren't very old, only around twenty years old. Seeing Xiao Xiao and the others sitting still, they also sat properly among them, just smiling at them. One of them went to get the microphone to select songs, and another boy asked Zhang Jingzhi with a light laugh if she wanted to play games.
Zhang Jingzhi felt goosebumps rise all over her body. She leaned close to Xiao Xiao's ear and whispered, "How do you solicit male prostitutes?"
Xiao Xiao also felt awkward and said in a low voice, "I don't know either, maybe it's the same as going out with a guy."
Zhang Jingzhi was dumbfounded. She thought to herself, "On TV, it's always the ladies who sit on the men's laps, then hug, kiss, and laugh. Should I let them sit on my lap, or should I sit on theirs? It seems like I'm at a disadvantage no matter which way I sit!"
The atmosphere inside the room remained lukewarm. Xiao Xiao and her three friends remained silent, and the boys, unsure how to please them, simply sang songs. Then, the boy who had asked Zhang Jingzhi what to play smiled and taught them how to play dice. Xiao Xiao already knew how, so she just sat and watched a boy next to her sing. Jiang Xiaoruo, however, forgot the purpose of her visit and was having a great time playing with the others.
Chu Yang was bored and huddled in the corner of the sofa, not talking to anyone next to him. He was regretting that he hadn't come to see anything new. He could have done two practice tests with that time. Just as he was killing time, the door to the private room suddenly opened. Chu Yang thought it was a waiter delivering drinks and glanced around casually. But what he saw made his heart skip a beat. Fang Yi was standing in the doorway, looking inside with a dark expression.
As soon as Fang Yi appeared at the door, two people inside were dumbfounded. One was Chu Yang, who wished he could disappear into thin air, and the other was Xiao Xiao, who quickly buried her head in the arms of the man next to her.
Oh no, how could he be here? Could he be doing a part-time job here? Chu Yang's mind started racing with all sorts of wild thoughts, and he wished he could just disappear as quickly as possible.
Good heavens, if the big boss sees her here, he might as well just hand in his resignation tomorrow. How could he possibly face anyone? When did Xiao Xiao stoop so low as to seek solace in a place like this? Her admirers could fill a whole football match!
The difference in their stillness and movement immediately revealed the profound skill levels of Chu Yang and Xiao Xiao. Fang Yi didn't even notice Xiao Xiao, who had her head buried in someone else's arms, and went straight for Chu Yang.
"It's over," Chu Yang thought. "I'm probably really going to be wiped out this time. Run? Is there any way out? How could it be such a coincidence? This is a brothel, after all. But thinking about it, it makes sense. This person is interested in men, so it's not surprising to meet him here."
Chu Yang watched as Fang Yi walked up to him with a cold face, and instinctively wanted to shrink his body into the sofa.
Fang Yi suddenly smirked. Unexpectedly, instead of lifting Chu Yang off the sofa, he patted the shoulder of the man next to her, signaling him to move aside, and then plopped down next to Chu Yang himself.
As his weight dropped, Chu Yang almost felt his heart tremble along with the sofa.
Zhang Jingzhi also noticed Fang Yi sitting on the sofa. She assumed he was another one of those "papas" who had called in. Too embarrassed to turn her head, she only glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. She immediately noticed that this man was far more charismatic than the boys who had come in before him, possessing the aura of a successful man. She couldn't help but shake her head and sigh inwardly, thinking, "These days, it's strange. How can even male prostitutes have such an air of sophistication? How much does such a top-notch man charge them? I wonder if Jiang Xiaoruo brought enough money. Will she end up having to rely on her connections again?"
Fortunately, Fang Yi only focused his attention on Chu Yang. If he knew that Zhang Jingzhi was guessing how much he would cost, he would probably be so angry that he would vomit blood. Of course, he would kill Zhang Jingzhi before he vomited blood, and then strangle Chu Yang after he vomited blood!
Zhang Jingzhi nudged Xiao Xiao lightly with her shoulder and asked in a low voice, "Hey, look at that one who just came in, she's really stylish, probably the top courtesan here?"
Xiao Xiao kept her head buried in the boy's arms, her shoulders trembling slightly. Top courtesan? The big boss is the top courtesan here? She was about to vomit blood.
The boy was flattered when Xiao Xiao suddenly buried her head in his arms and wrapped her arms around his waist. Seeing Xiao Xiao's shoulders trembling, he thought for a moment and then placed his hands on Xiao Xiao's back, gently stroking her.
"Damn it, how dare he take advantage of me!" Xiao Xiao cursed inwardly. But she couldn't care less about that for the moment. She just wanted to know why the big boss would come to this place. Surely he wasn't here to see her? Their personal relationship wasn't that good.
Fang Yi coldly watched Chu Yang slowly move her buttocks away into the distance, sneering inwardly. If Huang Fei's men hadn't said they had found "that kid" here, he would never have believed that this girl, who ran as fast as a deer, dared to transform into a fox who came to eat ducks after escaping from him twice!
Chu Yang shifted his buttocks three centimeters to the side, and then found that Fang Yi had grabbed his wrist. He was startled at first, but then surprisingly calmed down. Anyway, it was already like this, and he couldn't avoid it whether it was a blessing or a curse!
"Uh," Chu Yang cleared his throat and said, "I'm not a boy, you—you know that, right?"
The music in the private room was still blaring. Seeing that Fang Yi didn't react, Chu Yang assumed he hadn't heard him clearly. He moved closer to Fang Yi and guiltily repeated, "I'm sorry, I'm really not a boy. I'm a girl. Even though I have short hair, I'm really a girl. Look, there are many handsome men here. Why don't you go find them?"
Upon hearing her words, coupled with her cautious expression, Fang Yi suddenly found himself unsure whether to be angry or amused.
"Looking for fun here?" he asked, changing the subject.
Chu Yang nodded and shook his head at the same time.
Fang Yi chuckled lightly, a smile that slowly appeared on his stern, cold face, making Chu Yang's heart tremble with fear.
"That's not how you have fun," Fang Yi said.
"Huh?" Chu Yang didn't understand what he meant.
Fang Yi suddenly reached out and pulled Chu Yang over, placing her on his lap. He put his arm around Chu Yang's waist, stroked her chin with his fingers, and said with a flirtatious smile, "I'll teach you for free how to get her to come out and play."
Chu Yang was stunned.
Zhang Jingzhi was dumbfounded, staring straight at Fang Yi. She reached out to tug at Xiao Xiao's arm, muttering, "My God, kids these days are really something. Look, Chu Yang is really into it."
Xiao Xiao finally lifted her head from the other person's arms and looked at Chu Yang, dumbfounded. Boss, boss, you really came here for a part-time job? Is it some kind of masochistic rich person? You're used to being superior to others, so you have to humiliate yourself when you have time?
Jiang Xiaoru stared at Fang Yi with her mouth agape, her hand unconsciously clutching her wallet. Good heavens! How much money must such a perfect man cost?! This girl is really going to bleed her dry!
"You've spent money to come out and have fun, so you have to get something in return," Fang Yi chuckled, raising the corner of his mouth as he was about to kiss Chu Yang's lips. Chu Yang quickly turned her head away, but Fang Yi's lips brushed against her cheek and landed on her neck. Chu Yang was furious, and a "bastard" almost escaped her lips as she hurriedly reached out to push Fang Yi away.